Dixie (AD 14) - Naval Cruise Book

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had in little over a month, logged 7,300 miles. The Softball season opened while DIXIE was in Taiwan and the DIXIE Rebels started a string of exciting games, and Project Handclasp distribution began in earnest, DIXIE sailors journeyed to villages and mountain hamlets to visit hospitals and orphanages. DIXIE headed south once more on 18 March 1966, arriving in Subic Bay to begin a two-month period of ship tending. Destroyers from Vietnam came alongside, including the USS Porter Field (DD-682) whose worn out 5-inch guns were completely replaced in just one day. The softball team met and defeated teams from the USS Markab (AR-23) and the USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). The DIXIE slipped out of Subic Bay just ahead of Typoon Irma on 15 May 1966. She headed for Hong Kong for a week of rest and relaxation. On 21 May, tragedy struck as Houston Oilman, ET2, succumbed to a heart attack while on watch on DIXIE ' S quarterdeck. His was the third death of the cruise; DIXIE crewmembers Henry Fleming, HT2, and Keith Lynch, MM3, had died on 22 March while the ship was in Subic Bay. May 24, 1966, saw DIXIE once again putting into Kaoshiung, Taiwan, but her stay was brief. DIXIE set to sea again shortly after arriving as Typhoon Judy approached Taiwan. The DIXIE spent four days at sea then returned. While in Kaoshiung DIXIE shared the harbor with the USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5) which carried COMSEVENTHFLT, Vice Admiral J.J. Hyland, and his staff. When DIXIE left Kaoshiung on 3 July 1966, she had serviced 20 SEVENTH FLEET ships within its harbor. During a brief stopover at Yokosuka, Japan, DIXIE welcomed aboard her adopted sister, Noriko Shimizu, an II year old Japanese orphan supported by contributions from DIXIE ' S crew members. On 30 July 1966, the DIXIE left Yokosuka and headed for home. Her voyage was shared by the USS Evans (DE-1023), which she refueled and replenished during the two-week trip. DIXIE ' S 1966 WESTPAC cruise officially ended on the morning of 13 August, as she entered San Diego Harbor and became the flagship of COMCRUDESPAC, Rear Admiral W.H. Baumberger, USN. Captain W.J. Coleman was relieved by Captain W.L. Wilder in change of command ceremonies aboard DIXIE on 4 November. At year ' s end DIXIE hosted the HMCS Beacon Hill, during the Canadian ' s visit to San Diego. DIXIE departed for the western Pacific in April of 1967, where she provided repair and supply service to the destroyers of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. She returned to San Diego on 31 October.

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A change of command ceremony was held 27 June 1964 aboard the USS DIXIE (AD- 1 4) as Captain E. I. SUMRALL, USN, formerly assigned to the Army Desert Test Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, relieved Captain ARTHUR PARRIS, USN, as commanding officer. As flagship for CRUDESPAC. the DIXIE was host to Rear Admiral MARSHALL E. DORNIN, from May until July, when the DIXIE left San Diego for Todd Shipyards, Long Beach, California. DIXIE was in Todd Shipyards from the middle of July until the middle of October. During this time, DIXIE underwent repairs and drydocking for the first time in almost a year. After the yard period and a cruise back to San Diego, DIXIE steamed to Seal Beach, California to onload ammunition and stores for the forthcoming WESTPAC cruise. On the morning of 3 November, DIXIE left her berth in San Diego to sail for the Philippine Islands via Hawaii. With smooth sailing all of the way, DIXIE arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the morning of 9 November. After one day of taking on stores and liberty for the crew DIXIE continued on her way to the Far East. DIXIE steamed into Subic Bay on 23 November and commenced to carry out her assigned duties of servicing the destroyers of CRUDESPAC in Subic Bay, Hong Kong and Yokosuka, and participated in operations in the South China Sea in support of COMSEVENTHFLT units. DIXIE returned to the states on 8 May, 1965, and became the flagship for Rear Admiral W. H. BAUMBERGER, Commander, Cruiser- Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, on I August 1965. Captain E.L. SUMRALL was relieved by Captain W.J. COLEMAN in change of command ceremonies aboard DIXIE on I October 1965, at San Diego, California. DIXIE, under the command of Captain COLEMAN, left Pier 6, U.S. Naval Base, San Diego, on 25 January, 1966, and headed southwest on a course for Hawaii. It was not a smooth trip; DIXIE plowed through waves 13 feet high and was buffeted by winds of 30 knots. The Pacific crossing took 18 days including a stop over at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where CDR W. L. BUSHY was relieved by CDR A. G. HENRY as Executive Officer of the DIXIE. February 13, 1966, saw DIXIE nosing into the Naval Base at Yokosuka, Japan. Work orders from the USS MATHEWS (AKA-96) were waiting and provided the official beginning of DIXIE ' S mission in the Far East. While in Japan, DIXIE ' S basketball team scored often and was inv ited to remain in Japan to participate in the COMFLEACTS and COMNAVFOR JAPAN tournaments when the ship left on 24 February 1966. In Kaoshiung, Taiwan, DIXIE relieved the PIEDMONT (AD- 1 7) and began work on destroyers from the Taiwan Straits Patrol. The ship already 43

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Highlight of the many proud achievements by DIXIE during the year was the winning of the Battle Efficiency E for CRUDESPAC tenders. In addition, the Operations Department was awarded the departmental E for excellence. On 12 January 1968 DIXIE commenced a yard period at Long Beach. Upon completion of the overhaul on 18 April 1968, DIXIE returned to San Diego to once again commence tender duties. While stationed in San Diego also served as flagship for COMCRUDESPAC, Rear Admiral M.B. Freeman. Captain L.A. Wilder was relieved by Captain J.E. Renn, in ceremonies aboard DIXIE on 21 June 1968 at San Diego. On 9 August DIXIE was underway once again for Subic Bay, arriving there on 3 September. DIXIE then painted on her first hash mark beneath her Battle Efficiency E . On 3 October DIXIE departed Subic Bay for a brief R R visit to Hong Kong, returning to Subic Bay on 20 October. The Operations E was once again awarded to DIXIE during the month of November. DIXIE departed for her return voyage to San Diego on 3 December. After numerous diversions and experiencing five gales and one storm enroute, DIXIE arrived in San Diego Sunday morning, 23 December, one day behind schedule. The remaining portion of the year was spent in a leave status. The beginning of 1969 brought the return of working routines to DIXIE crew and the honor of serving as Flagship to COMCRUDESFLOT II. Rear Admiral H.H. Anderson. DIXIE once again deployed to WESTPAC on II August 1969 and arrived in Subi Bay on 2 September after a brief stop in Pearl Harbor. Shortly after arrival, Captain P.H. Dalimann relieved Captain J.R. Renn as DIXIE ' S Commanding Officer. 45